LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Jefferson County Public Schools have seen a significant increase in the number of non-native English speakers over the last five years.

As the district tries to educate these students, it has an impact on the newly released state test scores.

It is one of many challenges the district said it faces, but to best address the language barriers in classrooms, it will require more technology, people and money.

"We have a lot of our schools right now who have 40% to 50% of their student population is multilingual learners," said Superintendent Dr. Marty Pollio. "We will not be able to ever provide all the services we need through a Newcomer Academy."

Newcomer Academy is a JCPS school with kids from several dozen different countries who have just arrived in America as immigrants and refugees, and are learning English.

The number of multilingual learners, a student learning the English language, has grown exponentially in the last five years at JCPS.

Here's a breakdown of the numbers from the Kentucky Department of Education:

  • 2018: 9,451
  • 2019: 9,797
  • 2020: 12,574
  • 2021: 12,721
  • 2022: 14,720
  • 2023: 17,641

Currently, JCPS said it now has more than 20,000 multilingual learners. That accounts for more than 20% of the 96,000 students JCPS educates.

"Our English language learner population is skyrocketing," said KDE Commissioner Robbie Fletcher. 

When looking at the district's state test scores, Pollio said multilingual learners need to be considered a significant factor. He said multilingual learners are 73% less likely to score proficient in reading and 63% less likely to score proficient in math.

To help non-native English speakers in the classroom, Pollio said it will take a number of things, like hiring more English second language teachers, but there's a shortage.

"I believe we could hire every ESL teacher in the region coming out of post-secondary and they still wouldn't fill many of the vacancies that we have." Pollio said.

He also hopes advanced technology could be a tool used in the future.

"Sit in class with an ear piece in, kind of like the United Nations, and hear in their language what the teacher is saying," Pollio said. 

But Pollio said improving multilingual students' learning environment will come at a cost.

"We're going to have to increase funding at the state level and federal level for multilingual learners that mirrors the amount of money we provide for students in special education," he said.

Despite the challenges, JCPS said it is proud of its multilingual students and what they contribute.

“I want to say this. We embrace our multilingual learners as they improve the fabric and culture of our schools, we embrace them. But it is, it's going to require an increased amount of supports," said Pollio.

Other than multilingual learners, JCPS said it does face other challenges when it comes to improving student outcomes, including an overall teacher shortage and combating chronic absenteeism. 

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